The USCCB invites local parish communities to raise awareness, remove the stigma surrounding mental illness, and encourage spiritual and emotional care. Rooted in the "Healing and Hope" initiative, it emphasizes that no challenge or illness can diminish human dignity, because everyone is a beloved child of God.
Let us pray that the mental health ministry be established throughout the Church, helping to overcome the stigma and discrimination of persons with mental illnesses.
This month, we invite our members to explore our resources, including prayers and reflections, pastoral webinars, Catholic teaching, resources for a Mass for Suicide Healing and Remembrance, and support for those grieving the loss of a loved one to suicide.
Pope Leo XIV said, “So many people who suffer from different experiences of depression and sadness—they can discover that the love of God is truly healing.” Let us pray we find new ways to proclaim the Gospel in our cities, discovering creative paths to build community and be a source of mercy and hope.
On July 18th, the Life, Justice, and Peace ministry volunteers gathered within the Diocese of San Jose for the “Journey Together” meeting. Michael Shirley created and presented a presentation that provided background and definitions of the vocabulary of Catholic Social Teaching to help us clarify and deepen our appreciation of our ministries.
This month, the Pope’s prayer intention is for respect for human life. People who live with a mental illness can lead lives of faith and courage. But all too often, the lives of people who are struggling with a serious mental illness are not valued and shown respect.
This is usually a time for the ministry to take a brief break and begin planning for the next fiscal year. We hope you all take a moment for self-care and recharging. ADDITIONALLY, June is Men’s Mental Health Month and Alzheimer’s/Brain Awareness Month.
This month, the Pope’s prayer intention is for priests in crisis. The life of a priest is often filled with joy, but priests can also experience high levels of stress, loneliness, and depression due to heavy workloads, isolation, and high expectations.
Peace and mental health are inseparable. Effective disarmament is a commitment to protecting the dignity and mental health for those of us living today and those who will follow.
Catherine Campbell, Mental Health Coordinator at St. Nicholas St. William Parish in Los Altos, piloted Sanctuary for Teens, a free mental health series from Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries.
Franciscan School of Theology at the University of San Diego is now offering a Doctor of Education in Catholic Thought in Practice. The program includes a track for Mental Health Ministry.
We join with Pope Leo XIV in praying that children, and all people facing mental health challenges, “always find a community that welcomes them, listens to them, and accompanies them.”
This month, the Pope’s prayer intention is for prayer with the Word of God. For those of us who live with a mental health challenges, the Word of God assures us that God understands our struggles and always wants to offer us spiritual support.